This very large (108” x106”) patchwork came from the North
of England and was thought to be from Allendale, an area famed for its
quiltmaking and marking skills. The quilt has been made from various cotton
prints (now faded) in browns, blues, pinks and also creams with mauve motifs
which possibly date from the 1860’s to 1880’s and although it has a thin
wadding it is quite heavy. The quilt is entirely handsewn, even the long seams
on the front and back, and the stitching and handquilting is incredibly small
and neat. The patchwork side has a central section made from 2½” hexagons set
out in alternating rings of cream and coloured prints starting from one brown
hexagon. There then follows a 12” border of 2½” squares on point in the same
prints. The next border is a 9” cream & mauve print followed by the 11”
outer border of an ivy leaf print of mauve and blue on a cream background. The
two middle sections are very worn in places with the cotton wadding showing
through but this doesn’t detract from the quilt at all.

The quilting shows at its best on the plain reverse of the
quilt – and what exquisite quilting indeed!
The first thing that strikes you is the incredible amount of
quilting - every part is covered in
detailed patterns which include horse chestnut leaves, feather/fern swags and
various rose and circular motifs. In between these are tiny square diamonds
measuring no more than ¼”! The centre
has four lovely horse chestnut leaves facing in towards a small rose and these
are surrounded by curved feathers/ferns making a lovely and unusual central
design. It has a butt or knife edge (both edges turned in) which again is
entirely handsewn. A beautiful quilt which must have taken many, many hours to
make.

The Quilters' Guild is registered in England and Wales as a charity, no. 1067361 and a company limited by guarantee, no. 344731.
The Guild is registered as a charity in Scotland no. SC043174. Registered office: St. Anthony’s Hall, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW.